A NOTICEABLE REFINEMENT CAME FROM MONTA ’ S WILLINGNESS TO LAUNCH THE FIRST VERSION AND LEARN FROM IT .
The bracelet ’ s patentpending deployant clasp design that allows the subtlest size adjustment without a tool
INNOVATION
Monta has put some of its energy into the bracelet ’ s patent-pending deployant clasp design that allows the subtlest size adjustment without a tool . It ’ s easy to figure out and can quickly make a difference when you ’ re sizing it for daily changes to your wrist .
It ’ s easy to see the innovative spirit in the Oceanking ’ s bezel or clasp , but a noticeable refinement came from Monta ’ s willingness to launch the first version and learn from it . I can ’ t imagine a large brand being able to release a watch , listen to customers and offer changes that included a redesigned smaller case with crown guards smaller than the original version . This customer responsiveness has to be part of the calculation when deciding to buy from a microbrand .
To accommodate the smaller case size , Monta switched movements from the Eterna 3909a to Sellita ’ s high-grade SW300 self-winding chronometer movement , which has the respectable 42-hour reserve . All this reliability weighs only 158 grams and is sealed with a solid caseback , so it can handle a depth rating of 304 meters ( 1,000 feet ) of water resistance .
LEGIBILITY
The seven-layers of anti-reflective coating applied to the inside of the flat sapphire crystal make the white sword hands clear and legible . In this model , Monta uses gilt on the sweeping seconds hand and to frame the hour and minute hands . These accents provide a subtle , handsome contrast to the flat black dial . The dial ’ s text is proportionate to the space and balanced making it easy to navigate visually .
The size and color of the text remain visually subservient to the applied hour indices of LumiNova BG W9 surrounded in the same gilt , while the date window has a subtle gold trim outlining the beveled window . You ’ ve heard those who dislike the date window on these divers , but I like it here . I think a black date wheel instead , like on the Monta Triumph , would meet both the visual and functional demands of the market .
I live in a gold-free watch world , so these subtle design elements are often wasted on me , but brands know that the gold accent works . Although this is not my preference , I think the gold could be added to parts of the ceramic bezel , as well , to tie the accents together .
If the gilt dial isn ’ t your style , Monta offers black , blue and wet blue dials along with black , blue and steel bezels . The Monta website does a good job showing the options , which include rubber straps in blue and black .
RARITY AND VALUE
Dive watches that respect the tried and true design elements of the past can cost more or less than the Oceanking , so Monta offers innovation and the entrepreneur motivation of a U . S . company that can go head-to-head with bigger brands . The watch will retail for $ 1,925 on bracelet and $ 1,700 on rubber through www . montawatch . com . It comes with a two-year warranty .
36 | INTERNATIONAL WATCH | SUMMER 2018